Varying pore size in a well screen

ABSTRACT

A method can include applying a magnetic field to a well screen, thereby varying sizes of pores via which fluid flows through the well screen. A well screen can include a magnetic shape memory material having a dimension which changes in response to application of a magnetic field. Restriction to flow through the well screen can vary in response to the change in dimension of the magnetic shape memory material.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.13/010,812 filed on 21 Jan. 2011. The entire disclosure of this priorapplication is incorporated herein by this reference.

BACKGROUND

This disclosure relates generally to equipment utilized and operationsperformed in conjunction with a subterranean well and, in an exampledescribed below, more particularly provides for varying pore size in awell screen.

It can be beneficial to perform certain operations with well screens.Therefore, improvements in operations with well screen are needed in theart.

SUMMARY

In the disclosure below, a well system, method and well screen areprovided which bring improvements to the art of well operationsutilizing well screens. One example is described below in which flowresistance through a well screen can be varied. Another example isdescribed below in which a substance can be selectively released from awell screen.

In one aspect, this disclosure provides to the art a method which caninclude applying a magnetic field to a well screen, thereby varyingsizes of pores via which fluid flows through the well screen.

In another aspect, this disclosure provides to the art a well screenwhich can include a magnetic shape memory material having a dimensionwhich changes in response to application of a magnetic field.Restriction to flow through the well screen can vary in response to thechange in dimension of the magnetic shape memory material.

These and other features, advantages and benefits will become apparentto one of ordinary skill in the art upon careful consideration of thedetailed description of representative examples below and theaccompanying drawings, in which similar elements are indicated in thevarious figures using the same reference numbers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic partially cross-sectional view of a well systemand associated method which can embody principles of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 2 is a representative enlarged scale partially cut away elevationalview of a well screen which may be used in the well system and method ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a further enlarged scale representative cross-sectional viewof the well screen.

FIG. 4 is another representative cross-sectional view of the wellscreen.

FIG. 5 is a representative cross-sectional view of the well screen witha magnetic tool therein.

FIGS. 6 & 7 are further enlarged scale cross-sectional views of amagnetic shape memory material.

FIG. 8 is a representative flowchart for the method.

FIGS. 9 & 10 are representative flowcharts for variations of the method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Representatively illustrated in FIG. 1 is an example of a well system 10and associated method which can embody principles of this disclosure. Inthe well system 10, a generally vertical section 12 of a wellbore 14 hascasing 16 lining an upper portion thereof, and a generally horizontalsection 18 of the wellbore 14 penetrates an earth formation 20.

A tubular string 22 (such as a production tubing string, coiled tubing,jointed or continuous tubing, etc.) is installed in the wellbore 14. Aseries of well screens 24 and packers 26 are interconnected alternatelyalong the tubular string 22 in the section 18 of the wellbore 14.

The packers 26 seal off an annulus 28 formed radially between thetubular string 22 and the wellbore 14. In this manner, fluid 30 isconstrained to flow between the tubular string 22 and specificdivided-off zones or intervals of the formation 20.

The fluid 30 could be injected into the formation 20 in somecircumstances (such as, in steam flood, water flood, gas drive,geothermal, stimulation, fracturing, conformance, etc., operations). Thefluid 30 could be received from the formation 20 in other circumstances(such as, in hydrocarbon production, geothermal, etc., operations). Instill other circumstances, the fluid 30 may be alternately injected andreceived from the formation 20 (such as, in cyclic steam injection or“huff and puff” operations, etc.).

Production of fluid 30 from the formation 20 can be regulated at each ofthe individual zones or intervals, in order to balance production,prevent water coning 32 or gas coning 34. For example, flow of the fluid30 through the well screens 24 can be variably restricted by varying thesize of pores in a magnetic shape memory material of each of the wellscreens 24.

In other examples, the magnetic shape memory material may be used toselectively release a substance into the wellbore 14, or into a flow ofthe fluid 30, etc. The substance can be retained in the pores of themagnetic shape memory material until it is released by, for example,opening the pores, dissolving or otherwise dispersing the substance,etc.

The substance can be used for preventing flow through the pores, fortreating the well (e.g., dissolving mud cake, modifying flowcharacteristics of the formation 20, etc.), for treating the fluid 30(e.g., to prevent precipitates from forming in the fluid, for reducingcorrosion, for preventing production of harmful fluids (e.g., a biocidefor preventing production of hydrogen sulfide, etc.) to the surface, foridentifying the interval or zone from which fluid is produced (e.g., thesubstance could comprise a marker, such as a dye or radioactivematerial, etc.), etc. Any type of substance may be used with the wellscreens 24 in keeping with the principles of this disclosure.

In one feature of the well system 10, a magnetic field can beconveniently applied to any of the well screens 24 in the well, therebychanging a pore size of the magnetic shape memory material. The changein pore size can be used to vary a resistance to flow through the wellscreen 24, to release a substance previously retained in the pores, topermit flow through the well screen, to prevent flow through the wellscreen, etc.

It should be clearly understood, however, that the well system 10 andassociated method is described herein as merely one example of a widevariety of well systems and methods which can benefit from theprinciples of this disclosure. Therefore, the principles of thisdisclosure are not limited at all to the details of the well system 10or any other examples described herein or depicted in the drawings.

Referring additionally now to FIG. 2, an enlarged scale partially cutaway elevational view of one of the well screens 24 is representativelyillustrated. In this view, it may be clearly seen that this exampleincludes a generally tubular base pipe 36 with openings 38 through itssidewall to permit fluid 30 to flow between the annulus 28 and aninterior flow passage 40 (not visible in FIG. 2, see FIG. 3) of the basepipe and tubular string 22.

The well screen 24 also includes a generally tubular sleeve 42comprising a magnetic shape memory material 44. The material 44 overliesthe openings 38, so that fluid 30 which flows through the well screen 24(e.g., between the flow passage 40 and the annulus 28) also flowsthrough pores of the material.

A filter or other outer shroud 46 outwardly overlies the sleeve 42. Asdepicted in the figures, the shroud 46 comprises a wire wrapped filter,but a perforated outer sleeve or other type of shroud may be used, ifdesired. In other examples, the outer shroud 46 may not be used.

The material 44 is positioned between the base pipe 36 and the outershroud 46 as illustrated in FIG. 2. However, in other examples thematerial 44 could be otherwise positioned (e.g., within a base pipe, ina sidewall of the base pipe, overlying a filter or other structure,etc.). Thus, it should be clearly understood that the principles of thisdisclosure are not limited to the specific examples of well screenconfigurations depicted in the drawings and described herein.

In FIG. 3, an enlarged scale cross-sectional view of the well screen 24is representatively illustrated. In this view, the manner in which thefluid 30 can flow inwardly and/or outwardly through the well screen canbe clearly seen.

Note that the fluid 30 flows through the material 44 when it flowsbetween the annulus 28 and the flow passage 40. In examples describedbelow, the fluid 30 flows through pores of the material 44. Sizes of thepores can be changed by applying a magnetic field to the material 44.However, in other examples, the fluid 30 may not flow through pores ofthe material.

Referring additionally now to FIG. 4, the well screen 24 isrepresentatively illustrated after a magnetic field has been applied tothe well screen. The structure of the material 44 has changed inresponse to the application of the magnetic field.

The change in the structure of the material 44 can be used to vary aresistance to flow of the fluid 30 through the well screen 24, torelease a substance from the material, to treat the wellbore 14, totreat the formation 20, to treat the fluid 30, to open or close the wellscreen to flow through the well screen, or for other purposes.

Referring additionally now to FIG. 5, a magnetic tool 48 isrepresentatively illustrated in the flow passage 40 of the well screen24. The tool 48 is used to apply one or more magnetic fields M1, M2 tothe well screen 24 to thereby change the structure of the material 44.

A magnetic shape memory material changes shape when a magnetic field isapplied to the material. More specifically, a shape of the materialchanges when the material is exposed to a magnetic field. The materialwill retain the changed shape when the magnetic field is removed.However, if another magnetic field oriented orthogonal to the firstmagnetic field is exposed to the material, the material will revert toits original shape.

A suitable material for use as the material 44 in the well screen 24 isa magnetic shape memory foam made of a nickel-manganese-gallium alloy.This type of metal magnetic shape memory foam is described in an articlepublished by the National Science Foundation in 2009 entitled, “MetallicShape-Memory Foam Shows Giant Response to Magnetic Fields.” Anothermagnetic shape memory foam is described by Müllner, Peter, et al.,“Recent Developments in Ni—Mn—Ga Foam Research,” Materials ScienceForum, vol. 635, pp. 119-124 (Trans Tech Publications, Switzerland,2010). However, it should be clearly understood that other types ofmagnetic shape memory materials may be used in keeping with theprinciples of this disclosure.

It is not necessary for the material 44 to be a metal alloy, or for thematerial to be a foam. Magnetic particles could be embedded in plasticor another material. Any type of composite material with a magnetic ormagnetizable component, ceramics, etc., may be used, as long as thematerial possesses (or can be “trained” or otherwise altered to possess)magnetic shape memory characteristics.

The magnetic tool 48 can be used to apply either of the orthogonalmagnetic fields M1, M2 at any time. For example, the magnetic fields M1,M2, or either of them, could be applied before and/or after the wellscreen 24 is installed in the wellbore 14.

The magnetic tool 48 could be part of the well screen 24 (e.g., aslidable sleeve which can be selectively shifted to thereby apply themagnetic fields to the material 44, etc.). Alternatively, the tool 48could be separately conveyed into the well screen 24, for example, bywireline, slickline, electric line, coiled tubing, etc. The tool 48could be dropped and/or flowed through the passage 40.

The tool 48 could have any shape which is suitable for displacement toor through the well screen 24. The tool 48 could comprise a bar, dart,sleeve, or any other type of structure.

The magnetic fields M1, M2 could be generated by permanent magnets,electromagnets, or by any other source of magnetic energy. The magneticfields M1, M2 could be applied by switching on an electromagnet,deforming a magnetostrictive material, positioning a magnet in closeproximity to the material 44, or by any other method.

The strength of the applied magnetic field can be varied to thereby varythe amount of change in the material 44. The direction of the appliedmagnetic field can also be varied to vary the amount of change in thematerial 44.

Referring additionally now to FIG. 6, an enlarged scale cross-sectionalview of the material 44 is representatively illustrated. In this view,it may be seen that the material 44 includes pores 50 therein.

Each pore 50 has a size s, such as a height, width, flow area, etc. Itis not necessary for all of the pores 50 to have the same size s.

In FIG. 6, the material 44 is depicted in a configuration in which thepore sizes s are relatively small. However, in FIG. 7, the pore sizes sare increased, due to application of a magnetic field to the material44.

The increased pore size s in the FIG. 7 configuration can reduce therestriction to flow of the fluid 30 through the pores 50. For a givenpressure differential across the well screen 24, the material 44configuration of FIG. 7 will allow for a greater rate of flow of thefluid 30 therethrough, as compared to the configuration of FIG. 6.

In the FIG. 6 configuration, a substance 52 is retained in the pores 50.The substance 52 is depicted as being in solid form in FIG. 6, but itcould instead comprise a gel, foam, coating, fluid, liquid, etc., inkeeping with the principles of this disclosure.

When the pore sizes s are increased as depicted in the FIG. 7configuration, the substance 52 is released, thereby permittingincreased flow of the fluid 30 through the pores 50. The substance 52could entirely prevent flow of the fluid 30 through the pores in theFIG. 6 configuration, and release of the substance can then permit flowof the fluid through the pores. In other examples, the substance 52could be released from the pores, even though the fluid 30 does not flowthrough the pores.

The substance 52 could comprise a well treatment substance, for example,which acts to dissolve a mud cake lining the wellbore 14, or whichalters flow characteristics of the formation 20 (e.g., by increasing apermeability of the formation, etc.).

The substance 52 could comprise a treatment for the fluid 30, forexample, to reduce precipitation in the fluid, to reduce emulsification,or to reduce production of harmful fluids (e.g., hydrogen sulfide,etc.).

The substance 52 could block flow through the well screen 24 as it isbeing installed, while still permitting flow of fluid through thepassage 40, thereby preventing plugging of the well screen. After thewell screen 24 is installed, the substance 52 can be released to allowflow of the fluid 30 through the well screen.

The substance 52 may be released in a variety of ways. Increasing thesizes s of the pores 50 can allow the substance 52 to physically passthrough the pores. The substance 52 could be dissolved or otherwisedispersed more readily when the sizes s of the pores 50 increase. Thefluid 30 itself could cause the substance 52 to dissolve or disperse.

Note that it is not necessary for the substance 52 to be present in thepores 50 when the sizes s of the pores are reduced. Such reduction ofthe pores sizes s could be used to increasingly restrict flow throughthe well screen 24 without the presence of the substance 52 in thematerial 44.

Referring additionally now to FIG. 8, an example of a method 54 whichmay be performed with the well system 10 is representatively illustratedin flowchart form. Of course, the method 54 can be performed with otherwell systems, in keeping with the principles of this disclosure.

In step 56 of the method 54, the well screen 24 is installed in thewellbore 14. At the time of installation, the pore sizes s may be intheir increased or reduced configurations. A magnetic field may beapplied to the well screen 24 prior to installation, in order to achievea desired size s of the pores 50.

In step 58, a magnetic field is applied to the well screen 24. Themagnetic field may be applied using the tool 48 described above, or anyother means of applying a magnetic field may be used.

In step 60, the pore sizes s change in response to the application ofthe magnetic field. The change may be an increase in the pore sizes s,for example, to reduce a flow restriction through the well screen 24, toentirely prevent flow through the well screen, to release the substance52 from the pores 50, etc.

Referring additionally now to FIG. 9, another version of the method 54is representatively illustrated in flowchart form. In this version, thesubstance 52 is placed in the pores 50 while they are enlarged, prior toinstallation of the well screen 24 in the wellbore 14.

In step 62, the pores 50 are open or relatively enlarged, so that thesubstance 52 can be placed therein. A magnetic field may be applied tothe material 44, if needed, to increase the sizes s of the pores 50.

In step 64, the substance 52 (such as a well or fluid treatment, poreblocking substance, etc.) is placed in the pores 50. The substance 52can be placed in the pores 50 by any means, such as, flowing thesubstance into the pores and then allowing the substance to set therein,positioning a solid substance in the pores, etc.

In step 66, a magnetic field is applied to the material 44. This reducesthe pore sizes s.

In step 68, the substance 52 is retained in the pores 50, due to thereduced sizes s of the pores.

In step 70, the well screen is installed in the well.

In step 72, a magnetic field is applied to the material 44. Thisincreases the sizes s of the pores 50, thereby allowing the substance 52to be released from the pores. However, this step is optional since, asdescribed above, the substance 52 could be released from the pores 50(e.g., by dissolving, etc.), without increasing the sizes s of thepores.

Yet another version of the method 54 is representatively illustrated inFIG. 10 in flowchart form. In this version, the pore sizes s arealternately increased and decreased as fluid 30 is alternately injectedinto, and produced from, the formation 20 in a cyclic steam injectionoperation.

In step 74, the well screen 24 is installed in the well. The pores 50may be enlarged or reduced at this time.

In step 76, steam is injected into the formation 20 via the enlargedpores 50. If not already enlarged, the pores 50 are preferably enlargedprior to flowing the steam through the well screen 24.

In step 78, a magnetic field is applied to the well screen 24. Thisreduces the pores sizes s, and preferably prevents or at least minimizesflow being received from the formation 20 into the tubular string 22 asthe steam transfers thermal energy to the formation.

In step 80, fluid 30 is produced from the formation 20 via the pores 50,which are reduced as needed to filter the fluid, to variably restrictflow of the fluid through the well screen, etc.

In step 82, a magnetic field is applied to the well screen 24, therebyincreasing the pores sizes s in preparation for another cycle of steaminjection. Steps 76-82 are repeated to alternately inject steam into theformation 20 and produce fluid from the formation.

The various versions of the method 54 described above demonstrate thatthe principles of this disclosure are not limited to the specifics ofonly one or a few particular examples. Instead, the principles of thisdisclosure are applicable to a wide variety of different methods.

In certain examples, this disclosure provides to the art a method 54which can include applying a magnetic field to a well screen 24, therebyvarying sizes s of pores 50 via which fluid 30 flows through the wellscreen 24.

The pores 50 may be formed in a magnetic shape memory material 44 of thewell screen 24.

The magnetic field may be applied to the well screen 24 in a well.

The magnetic field may be applied to the well screen 24 prior toinstallation of the well screen 24 in a well.

A substance 52 may be released from the pores 50 in response to applyingthe magnetic field.

The substance 52 may comprise a well treatment.

The substance 52 may block flow through the pores 50 prior to beingreleased.

The substance 52 may be released by being dissolved.

The substance 52 may be released by being dispersed.

Applying the magnetic field to the well screen 24 may increase and/ordecrease the sizes of the pores 50, after the well screen 24 isinstalled in a wellbore 14.

Applying the magnetic field to the well screen 24 may comprisealternately increasing and decreasing the sizes s of the pores 50.

The fluid 30 may flow in one direction through the well screen 24 whenthe sizes s of the pores 50 are increased, and the fluid 30 may flow inan opposite direction through the well screen 24 when the sizes s of thepores 50 are decreased.

Applying the magnetic field may close the pores 50, thereby preventingflow of the fluid 30 through the pores 50.

Applying the magnetic field may open the pores 50, thereby permittingflow of the fluid 30 through the pores 50.

Applying the magnetic field may comprise orienting the magnetic field M1orthogonal to another magnetic field M2 previously applied to the wellscreen 24.

Applying the magnetic field may comprise orienting the magnetic field M1in a direction different from another magnetic field M2 previouslyapplied to the well screen 24. The different direction is notnecessarily orthogonal to the direction of the previously appliedmagnetic field M2.

Applying the magnetic field may comprise variably restricting flow ofthe fluid 30 through the well screen 24.

Also described by the above disclosure is a well screen 24. The wellscreen 24 can comprise a magnetic shape memory material 44 having adimension which changes in response to application of a magnetic field.Restriction to flow through the well screen 24 can vary in response tothe change in dimension of the magnetic shape memory material 44. Thedimension is not necessarily an outer dimension or total size of theshape memory material 44, but could instead be, e.g., sizes s of thepores 50.

Fluid 30 which flows through the well screen 24 may also flow throughpores 50 of the magnetic shape memory material 44.

The well screen 24 may include a substance 52 in the pores 50. Thesubstance 52 may comprise a well treatment. The substance 52 may blockflow through the pores 50. The substance 52 may be dissolvable and/ordispersible in a well.

The dimension may be a pore size s of the magnetic shape memory material44. Application of the magnetic field to the well screen 24 may increaseand/or decrease the pore size s. Application of the magnetic field tothe well screen 24 may alternately increase and decrease the pore sizes.

It is to be understood that the various examples described above may beutilized in various orientations, such as inclined, inverted,horizontal, vertical, etc., and in various configurations, withoutdeparting from the principles of the present disclosure. The embodimentsillustrated in the drawings are depicted and described merely asexamples of useful applications of the principles of the disclosure,which are not limited to any specific details of these embodiments.

Of course, a person skilled in the art would, upon a carefulconsideration of the above description of representative embodiments,readily appreciate that many modifications, additions, substitutions,deletions, and other changes may be made to these specific embodiments,and such changes are within the scope of the principles of the presentdisclosure. Accordingly, the foregoing detailed description is to beclearly understood as being given by way of illustration and exampleonly, the spirit and scope of the present invention being limited solelyby the appended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: applying a magnetic fieldto a magnetic shape memory material of a well screen, thereby varyingsizes of pores via which fluid flows through the well screen, whereinthe varied pore sizes are retained when the magnetic field is no longerapplied to the well screen.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein themagnetic field is applied to the well screen in a well.
 3. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the magnetic field is applied to the well screen priorto installation of the well screen in a well.
 4. The method of claim 1,wherein a substance is released from the pores in response to applyingthe magnetic field.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the substancecomprises a well treatment substance.
 6. The method of claim 4, whereinthe substance blocks flow through the pores prior to being released. 7.The method of claim 4, wherein the substance is released by beingdissolved.
 8. The method of claim 4, wherein the substance is releasedby being dispersed.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein applying themagnetic field to the well screen increases the sizes of the pores,after the well screen is installed in a wellbore.
 10. The method ofclaim 1, wherein applying the magnetic field to the well screendecreases the sizes of the pores, after the well screen is installed ina wellbore.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein applying the magneticfield to the well screen comprises alternately increasing and decreasingthe sizes of the pores.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the fluidflows in one direction through the well screen when the sizes of thepores are increased, and the fluid flows in an opposite directionthrough the well screen when the sizes of the pores are decreased. 13.The method of claim 1, wherein applying the magnetic field closes thepores, thereby preventing flow of the fluid through the pores.
 14. Themethod of claim 1, wherein applying the magnetic field opens the pores,thereby permitting flow of the fluid through the pores.
 15. The methodof claim 1, wherein applying the magnetic field comprises orienting themagnetic field orthogonal to another magnetic field previously appliedto the well screen.
 16. The method of claim 1, wherein applying themagnetic field comprises variably restricting flow of the fluid throughthe well screen.
 17. A well screen, comprising: a well screen filterelement formed from a magnetic shape memory material having a dimensionwhich changes in response to application of first and second magneticfields, wherein the second magnetic field is oriented orthogonal to thefirst magnetic field.
 18. The well screen of claim 17, wherein fluidwhich flows through the well screen flows through pores of the magneticshape memory material.
 19. The well screen of claim 18, whereinrestriction to flow of the fluid through the well screen varies inresponse to the change in dimension of the magnetic shape memorymaterial.
 20. The well screen of claim 18, further comprising asubstance in the pores.
 21. The well screen of claim 20, wherein thesubstance comprises a well treatment substance.
 22. The well screen ofclaim 20, wherein the substance blocks flow through the pores.
 23. Thewell screen of claim 20, wherein the substance is dissolvable in a well.24. The well screen of claim 20, wherein the substance is dispersible ina well.
 25. The well screen of claim 17, wherein the dimension is a poresize of the magnetic shape memory material, and wherein application ofone of the first and second magnetic fields to the well screen increasesthe pore size.
 26. The well screen of claim 17, wherein the dimension isa pore size of the magnetic shape memory material, and whereinapplication of one of the first and second magnetic fields to the wellscreen decreases the pore size.
 27. The well screen of claim 17, whereinthe dimension is a pore size of the magnetic shape memory material, andwherein application of the first and second magnetic fields to the wellscreen alternately increases and decreases the pore size.
 28. The wellscreen of claim 17, wherein the dimension is a pore size of the magneticshape memory material, wherein application of the first magnetic fieldto the well screen increases the pore size, wherein application of thesecond magnetic field to the well screen decreases the pore size, andwherein the magnetic shape memory material retains the respective poresize when the first and second magnetic fields are removed.
 29. The wellscreen of claim 17, wherein the magnetic shape memory material retainsthe respective changed dimension when the first and second magneticfields are removed.